{{Short description|Finnish military officer in the Finnish Army, Waffen-SS, and U.S. Army (1919–1965)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox military person | name = Lauri Törni<br>{{spaces|7}}(Larry Thorne)<ref group="nb">Gill (1998) gives several aliases used by Törni: "Lauri Laine" when receiving German training (p. 69); "Aulis Haapalainen" after escaping from a British POW camp (p. 83); and "Eino Mörsky" when traveling to Venezuela and the United States (pp. 93–94).</ref> | image = Kapteeni Törni.jpg | caption = Törni in Finnish uniform, 1944 | birth_name = Lauri Allan Törni | other_name = Larry Alan Thorne | nickname = Lasse | birth_date = {{Birth date|1919|5|28|df=yes}} | birth_place = Viipuri, Finland | death_date = {{Death date and age|1965|10|18|1919|5|28|df=yes}} | death_place = Phước Sơn District, Quảng Nam Province, South Vietnam{{sfn|McDowell|2002}} | burial_place = Arlington National Cemetery | allegiance = {{flagcountry|Finland}}<br />{{flagcountry|Germany|1935}}<br />{{flagcountry|USA}}{{sfn|Salomaa|2000|pp=554–557}} | branch = {{flagicon image|Military flag of Finland.svg}} Finnish Army<br />{{flagicon image|Flag Schutzstaffel.svg|23px}} Waffen-SS<br />{{army|United States}} | service_years = 1938–1944 (Finnish Army)<br />1941, 1945 (German ''Waffen-SS'')<br />1954–1965 (U.S. Army) | rank = 25px Captain (Finland)<br />15px {{Lang|de|Hauptsturmführer}}{{sfn|Salomaa|2000|pp=554–557}} (Germany)<br />15px Major (US) (posthumous) | unit = Finland: * 12th Light Infantry Regiment * 8th Light Detachment of the 1st Division * 56th Infantry Regiment ("Törni Detachment") Germany: ''Sonderkommando Nord''<br /> United States: * 7th Special Forces Group * 11th Airborne Division * 10th Special Forces Group * 5th Special Forces Group <!-- ** Detachment A743, MACV-SOG --> | commands = {{flagicon|Finland}} Detachment Törni | battles = {{tree list}} * World War II ** Winter War ** Continuation War ** Eastern Front * Vietnam War ** Operation Shining Brass{{KIA}} {{tree list/end}} | awards = 25px Mannerheim Cross 2nd Class<br />25px Iron Cross 2nd Class<br />25px Legion of Merit<br />border|25px Distinguished Flying Cross<br />25px Bronze Star<br />25px Purple Heart (2) | module = {{infobox criminal | child = yes | body_discovered = {{start date and age|1999}} | movement = Anti-communism | conviction_status = Pardoned | conviction = Treason | conviction_penalty = 6 years imprisonment }} }} '''Lauri Allan Törni''' (28 May 1919 – 18 October 1965), later known as '''Larry Alan Thorne''', was a Finnish-born soldier who fought under three countries: as a Finnish Army officer in the Winter War and the Continuation War ultimately gaining a rank of captain; as a ''Waffen-SS'' captain (under the alias '''Larry Laine''') of the Finnish Volunteer Battalion of the Waffen-SS when he fought the Red Army on the Eastern Front in World War II;<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if-7Eytesnc "John Mullins: MACV-SOG, Phoenix Program, Blue Light, and security consultant: Ep. 48."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724200205/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if-7Eytesnc |date=2021-07-24 }} Interview with John Mullins. [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXFKXo5oRUJp2jMqlmEHU3Q ''The Team House''.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204013440/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXFKXo5oRUJp2jMqlmEHU3Q |date=2021-02-04 }} Streamed live on YouTube on June 26, 2020. "John served in Special Forces, including tours in Vietnam, Central and South America, and the Middle East. After his military service, John worked as a security consultant all over the world. He was also the inspiration for the Soldier of Fortune video game."</ref> and as a United States Army Major (under the alias "Larry Thorne") when he served in the U.S. Army Special Forces in the Vietnam War.
Törni died in a helicopter crash on 18 October 1965, during a covert mission in Laos amidst the Vietnam War. Serving with the U.S. Army Special Forces, Törni was involved in operations conducted by MACV-SOG when the helicopter he was on crashed under unclear circumstances. The crash site was difficult to locate due to the rugged terrain and adverse weather conditions, delaying recovery efforts. Törni's remains, along with those of other soldiers aboard, were eventually found three decades later.
==Early life and education== Christened Lauri Allan Törni, he was born in Viipuri, Viipuri Province, Finland, to ship captain Jalmari (Ilmari) Törni, and his wife, Rosa Maria (née Kosonen).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.geni.com/people/Larry-Thorne/6000000010186715070|title=Larry Alan Thorne|date=12 June 2019|website=Geni|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=19 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519105507/https://www.geni.com/people/Larry-Thorne/6000000010186715070|url-status=live}}</ref> He had two sisters: Salme Kyllikki Rajala (b. 1920) and Kaija Iris Mikkola (b. 1922).{{sfn|Cleverley|2008|pp=2–3}} An athletic youth, Törni was an early friend of future Olympic Boxing Gold Medalist Sten Suvio.{{sfn|Cleverley|2008|pp=5, 7, 14, 20}}
After attending business school and serving with the Civil Guard, Törni entered military service in 1938, joining Jaeger Battalion 4 stationed at Kiviniemi. When the Winter War began in November 1939, his enlistment was extended, and his unit confronted invading Soviet troops at Rautu.{{sfn|Cleverley|2008|pp=5, 7, 14, 20}}
==Career== ===World War II=== [[File:Lauri_torni.jpg|thumb|left|upright|''Vänrikki'' Lauri Törni after graduating from cadet school in 1940]] During the battles at Lake Ladoga, Törni took part in the destruction of the encircled Soviet divisions in Lemetti.{{sfn|Cleverley|2008|pp=26–32}}
His performance during these engagements was noticed by his commanders, and toward the end of the conflict, he was assigned to officer training where he was commissioned as a ''Vänrikki'' (2nd lieutenant) in the reserves.{{sfn|Cleverley|2008|p=287}} After the Winter War, in June 1941, Törni went to Vienna, Austria for seven weeks of training with the ''Waffen-SS'', and returned to Finland in July. As a Finnish officer, the Germans recognized him as an ''Untersturmführer''.{{sfn|Cleverley|2008|pp=55, 58}}
Most of Törni's reputation was based on his successful actions in the Continuation War (1941–44) between the Soviet Union and Finland. In 1943, a unit informally named ''Detachment Törni'' was created under his command. This was an infantry unit that penetrated deep behind enemy lines and soon enjoyed a reputation on both sides of the front for its combat effectiveness.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bennett|first=Richard M.|title=Elite Forces|year=2003|publisher=Random House|isbn=978-0753508237|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4JsL8v_sg5wC&q=Lauri+T%C3%B6rni&pg=PT213|access-date=2020-12-12|archive-date=2021-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724200157/https://books.google.com/books?id=4JsL8v_sg5wC&q=Lauri+T%C3%B6rni&pg=PT213|url-status=live}}</ref>
One of Törni's subordinates was future President of Finland Mauno Koivisto.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bennett|first=Richard M.|title=Elite Forces|year=2003|publisher=Random House|isbn=978-0753508237|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4JsL8v_sg5wC&q=Lauri+T%C3%B6rni&pg=PT213|access-date=2020-12-12|archive-date=2021-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724200157/https://books.google.com/books?id=4JsL8v_sg5wC&q=Lauri+T%C3%B6rni&pg=PT213|url-status=live}}</ref> Koivisto served in a reconnaissance company under Törni's command during the Battle of Ilomantsi, the final Finnish-Soviet engagement of the Continuation War, in July and August 1944. Törni's unit inflicted such heavy casualties on Soviet units that the Soviet Army placed a bounty of 3,000,000 Finnish marks on his head.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jowett|first1=Philip|last2=Snodgrass|first2=Brent|title=Finland at War 1939–1945|date=2006|publisher=Osprey|location=Oxford|isbn=978-1782001256|page=32 |oclc=824780162}}</ref> He was decorated with the Mannerheim Cross 2nd Class on 9 July 1944.<ref>[http://www.mannerheim-ristinritarit.fi/ritarit?xmid=169 Knights of the Mannerheim Cross] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419020817/http://www.mannerheim-ristinritarit.fi/ritarit?xmid=169 |date=2014-04-19 }} (Finnish); accessed 20 September 2014.</ref>
thumb|upright|The shoulder patch of Detachment Törni The September 1944 Moscow Armistice required the Finnish government to remove German troops from Finnish territory, resulting in the Lapland War. During this period, much of the Finnish Army was demobilized, including Törni, leaving him unemployed in November 1944.{{sfn|Gill|1998|pp=67–68}} In January 1945, he was recruited by the Pro-German resistance movement in Finland and left for saboteur training in Germany, with the intention of organizing resistance in case Finland was occupied by the Soviet Union.{{sfn|Gill|1998|pp=69, 72}} The training was prematurely ended in March. As Törni could not secure transportation to Finland, he joined the Waffen SS to fight Soviet troops near Schwerin, Germany.{{sfn|Gill|1998|pp=75–76}} He surrendered to British troops in the last stages of World War II and returned to Finland in June 1945 after escaping a British POW camp in Lübeck, Germany.{{sfn|Gill|1998|pp=77, 82}}
[[File:Torni lauri b.jpg|thumb|upright|Törni in a ''Waffen-SS'' uniform during training in 1941]] As his family had been evacuated from Karelia, Törni sought to rejoin them in Helsinki but was arrested by Valpo, the Finnish state police.{{sfn|Gill|1998|pp=85–86}} After escaping, he was arrested a second time in April 1946, and tried for treason for continuing to serve in the German military during the Lapland War.{{sfn|Salomaa|2000|pp=554–557}} A trial in October and November resulted in a six-year sentence in January 1947. Imprisoned at the Turku provincial prison, Törni escaped in June, but was recaptured and sent to the Riihimäki State Prison.{{sfn|Gill|1998|pp=90–92}} President Juho Paasikivi granted him a pardon in December 1948.<ref name="Salomaa">Salomaa, Markku: ”Törni, Lauri (1919–1965)”, ''Suomen kansallisbiografia, osa 10'', s. 125–126. Helsinki: Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura, 2007. {{ISBN|978-9517464512}}. [https://kansallisbiografia.fi/kansallisbiografia/henkilo/7845 Teoksen verkkoversio].</ref> [[File:Lauri Törni porttikielto Hotelli Tammer b.jpg|thumb|A plaque in Hotel Tammer, Tampere, about Lauri Törni's Jägers being banned from meeting there in 1946.]]
===Emigration to the United States=== In 1949, Törni, accompanied by his wartime executive officer Holger Pitkänen, traveled to Sweden, crossing the border from Tornio to Haparanda. From Haparanda, Törni travelled by railroad to Stockholm where he stayed with Baroness von Essen, who harbored many fugitive Finnish officers following the war. Pitkänen was arrested and repatriated to Finland. In Sweden, Törni fell in love with a Swedish Finn, Marja Kops, and was soon engaged to be married.{{sfn|Cleverley|2008|pp=185–186}}
In order to secure employment, Törni travelled under an alias as a Swedish seaman aboard the SS ''Bolivia'', destined for Caracas, Venezuela, where he met one of his Winter War commanders, the Finnish colonel Matti Aarnio, who was living in Venezuela. Törni hid on a Swedish cargo ship, the MS ''Skagen'', which travelled from Caracas to the United States in 1950.{{sfn|Cleverley|2008|pp=185–186}}
While in the Gulf of Mexico, near Mobile, Alabama, Törni jumped overboard and swam to shore. Now a political refugee,<ref>{{cite book|title=Finns in the United States: A History of Settlement, Dissent, and Integration|year=2014|publisher=Michigan State University Press|isbn=978-1628950205|page=52|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WxcTAwAAQBAJ|author=Kero, Reino|author-link=Reino Kero|editor=Kostianinen, Auvo|chapter=Part 3: Seamen, Masses, and Individual Migrants of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries: Migration from Finland to North America|access-date=20 September 2014|archive-date=24 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724200156/https://books.google.com/books?id=WxcTAwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> Törni traveled to New York City where he was helped by the Finnish-American community living in Brooklyn's Sunset Park "Finntown". There he worked as a carpenter and cleaner. In 1953, Törni was granted a residence permit through an Act of Congress<ref>{{cite journal|title=Chapter 422 [H.R. 2604], Private Law 83-168 – An Act for the relief of Lauri Allan Torni|journal=83rd Congress, 1st Session, 1953|date=12 August 1953|volume=67|page=A60|url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-67/pdf/STATUTE-67-PgA60.pdf|access-date=3 June 2014|archive-date=6 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606235242/http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-67/pdf/STATUTE-67-PgA60.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> that was shepherded by the law firm of "Wild Bill" Donovan, former head of the Office of Strategic Services.
====United States Army==== In 1954, Törni enlisted in the U.S. Army under the provisions of the Lodge-Philbin Act and adopted the name Larry Thorne. In the U.S. Army, he was befriended by a group of Finnish-American officers who came to be known as "Marttinen's Men" (fin. ''Marttisen miehet'').<ref group="nb">Named after Colonel Alpo K. Marttinen, this group of Finnish wartime officers had immigrated to the United States and joined the U.S. Army under the Lodge Act. Several were brought into the US Special Forces at its inception.</ref>
With their support, Thorne joined the U.S. Army Special Forces. While in the Special Forces, he taught skiing, survival, mountaineering, and guerrilla tactics. He attended airborne school, and advanced in rank to sergeant. Receiving his US citizenship in 1957, Thorne attended Officer Candidate School, and was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the Signal Corps.{{sfn|Gill|1998|pp=117–119}}
He later received a Regular Army commission and a promotion to captain in 1960. From 1958 to 1962, he served in the 10th Special Forces Group in West Germany at Bad Tölz, from where he was second-in-command of a search and recovery mission high in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, which gained him a notable reputation.{{sfn|Gill|1998|pp=127–135}} When he was in Germany, he briefly visited his relatives in Finland. In an episode of ''The Big Picture'' released in 1962 and composed of footage filmed in 1959, Thorne is shown as a lieutenant with the 10th Special Forces Group in the United States Army.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv04zcD7hlo Phantom Fighters – The Big Picture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120052718/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv04zcD7hlo |date=2020-11-20 }}, via YouTube.</ref>
===Vietnam War=== Deploying to South Vietnam in November 1963 to support Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces in the Vietnam War, Thorne and Special Forces Detachment A-734 were stationed in the Tịnh Biên District and assigned to operate Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) encampments at Châu Lăng and later Tịnh Biên.{{sfn|Cleverley|2008|pp=239–245}}
During a fierce attack on the CIDG camp in Tịnh Biên, he received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star Medal for valor during the battle.{{sfn|McDowell|2002|pp=}}
Thorne's second tour in Vietnam began in February 1965 with 5th Special Forces Group; he then transferred to Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV–SOG), a classified US special operations unit focusing on unconventional warfare in Vietnam, as a military advisor.{{sfn|McDowell|2002|pp=}}
thumb|The last photo of Lauri Törni on October 15, 1965, three days before his death. A reconnaissance team is about to depart on a mission from Kham Duc. Pictured are Vietnamese helicopter pilots, Patrol Leader Charles Petry, Lieutenant Colonel Ray Call, and Captain Larry Thorne. On 18 October 1965, as part of the operation Shining Brass, Thorne was supervising the first clandestine mission to locate Viet Cong turnaround points along the Ho Chi Minh trail and destroy them with airstrikes. Two Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) CH-34 helicopters launched from Kham Duc Special Forces Camp and rendezvoused with a United States Air Force Cessna O-1 Bird Dog Forward Air Controller in inclement weather in a mountainous area of Phước Sơn District, Quảng Nam Province, Vietnam, {{convert|25|mi}} from Da Nang.{{sfn|McDowell|2002}}<ref>{{cite book|last=LeFavor|first=Paul D.|title=US Army Special Forces Small Unit Tactics Handbook|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZNoQXkhZgGAC|year=2013|publisher=Blacksmith|location=Fayetteville, NC|isbn=978-0989551304|pages=50–51|editor=Blackburn, Michael|chapter=Ch. 1: Special Forces History – Operation Shining Brass|access-date=2016-10-03|archive-date=2021-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724200158/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZNoQXkhZgGAC|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Maitland|first1=Terrence|last2=McInerney|first2=Peter|title=The Vietnam Experience: A Contagion of War|url=https://archive.org/details/vietnamexperienc00mait|url-access=registration|publisher=Boston Publishing Company|year=1983|isbn=0939526050|pages=[https://archive.org/details/vietnamexperienc00mait/page/123 123–124]}}</ref>
While one CH-34 descended through a gap in the weather to drop off the six-man team, the command CH-34 carrying Thorne and the O-1 loitered nearby. When the drop helicopter returned above the cloud cover, both the CH-34 and the O-1 had disappeared.{{sfn|McDowell|2002}}<ref>{{cite book|last=LeFavor|first=Paul D.|title=US Army Special Forces Small Unit Tactics Handbook|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZNoQXkhZgGAC|year=2013|publisher=Blacksmith|location=Fayetteville, NC|isbn=978-0989551304|pages=50–51|editor=Blackburn, Michael|chapter=Ch. 1: Special Forces History – Operation Shining Brass|access-date=2016-10-03|archive-date=2021-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724200158/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZNoQXkhZgGAC|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Maitland|first1=Terrence|last2=McInerney|first2=Peter|title=The Vietnam Experience: A Contagion of War|url=https://archive.org/details/vietnamexperienc00mait|url-access=registration|publisher=Boston Publishing Company|year=1983|isbn=0939526050|pages=[https://archive.org/details/vietnamexperienc00mait/page/123 123–124]}}</ref> Rescue teams were unable to locate the crash site. Shortly after his disappearance, Thorne was promoted to the rank of major and posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross.{{sfn|McDowell|2002}}
In 1999, Thorne's remains were found by a Finnish and Joint Task Force-Full Accounting team.<ref group="nb">Per McDowell, Finnish members of the team included publisher Kari Kallonen, reporter Petri Sarjanen, photographer Juha Saxberg, Törni's nephew Juha Rajala, and videographer Tapio Anttila.</ref> They were repatriated to the United States following a Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport ceremony that included Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Ambassador Pete Peterson.{{sfn|McDowell|2002}}
[[File:Larry thorne tombstone b.jpg|thumb|upright|The shared grave of Thorne and fellow Vietnam War casualties in Arlington National Cemetery]] Formally identified in 2003, his remains were buried on 26 June 2003 at Arlington National Cemetery, along with the RVNAF casualties of the mission recovered at the crash site.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgZ0aG9ybmUSBWxhcnJ5/ |title=Burial Detail: Thorne, Larry A. (Section 60, Grave 8136) Birth Date: 05/28/1919; Death Date: 10/18/1965; Interment Date: 06/26/2003 |work=ANC Explorer |publisher=Arlington National Cemetery |id=(Official website) |access-date=2021-01-15 |archive-date=2020-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016165543/https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgZ0aG9ybmUSBWxhcnJ5/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Temmes|first=Asko|title=Legendary Finnish war hero Lauri Törni (Larry Thorne) to get final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery: Remains of victims of 1965 helicopter crash will be interred simultaneously|url=http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20030617IE9|work=Helsingin Sanomat|date=12 June 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417155023/http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20030617IE9|archive-date=17 April 2014}}</ref> He was memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 02E, Line 126.<ref>{{cite web|title=Larry Alan Thorne Major SD-5891, HQ, MACV Advisors, MACV. Army of the United States, Norwalk, Connecticut|url=http://www.virtualwall.org/dt/ThorneLA01a.htm|website=virtualwall.org|publisher=The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans Memorial|access-date=30 August 2017|archive-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913054404/http://www.virtualwall.org/dt/ThorneLA01a.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He was survived only by his fiancée, Marja Kops.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lauri Törni rakastui kunnolla vain kerran, mutta onnellinen tarina päättyi erittäin lyhyeen|date=29 September 2015|url=https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000001000667.html|publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|language=fi|access-date=23 February 2019|archive-date=23 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223184847/https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000001000667.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Military awards== '''Finnish decorations''' * 106px 2nd class Medal of Liberty, 26 July 1940 * 106px 1st class Medal of Liberty, 24 August 1940 * 106px 3rd class Cross of Liberty, 9 October 1941 * 106px 4th class Cross of Liberty, 23 May 1942 * 106px 2nd class Mannerheim Cross, 9 July 1944 * 1st Div. Memorial Cross * Border Jaeger Troops Cross * Defence Forces Bronze Medal
'''German decoration''' * 106px Iron Cross, 2nd class, 11 December 1943{{citation needed|date=October 2018}}<!-- Torni was with the Finn Army in 43; cn needed for Iron Cross -->
'''United States Army'''
Badges * 120px Combat Infantryman Badge * 80px Master Parachutist Badge * 120px Silver German Parachutist Badge * 80px Special Forces Tab * 80px Army Special Forces CSIB Decorations and medals * 106px Legion of Merit (posthumous) * {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}} Distinguished Flying Cross (posthumous) * {{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Bronze_Star_Medal_ribbon_with_"V"_device,_1st_award.svg|width=106}} Bronze Star Medal with "V" device * {{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-leaf|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=106}} Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster * {{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} Air Medal * {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-oak|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} Army Commendation Medal * {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Good Conduct Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} Good Conduct Medal * {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}} National Defense Service Medal with star * {{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Ribbon (With Two Bronze Stars).jpg|width=106}}Vietnam Service Medal with two campaign stars * 106px Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
===Distinguished Flying Cross citation=== 70px|left '''Citation:'''
<blockquote>The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Major (Infantry), (then Captain) Larry Alan Thorne (ASN: 0-2287104), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 18 October 1965 in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Thorne was operations officer responsible for launching a small, combined reconnaissance patrol on an extremely hazardous mission into a suspected Viet Cong stronghold. Due to the extreme hazards attending this mission, including weather and enemy action, Major Thorne volunteered to accompany submission aircraft during the introduction of the patrol in place of the assigned individual. After delivering the patrol to the landing zone, Major Thorne remained with one aircraft in the immediate area to receive an initial report from the patrol on the ground. This report was mandatory since only the vaguest information was available about enemy disposition near the landing zone. If the patrol were immediately confronted by a superior force, Major Thorne would land and extricate the patrol under fire. This was done with total disregard for the inherent dangers and with selfless concern for the ground forces. In so doing, he exposed himself to extreme personal danger which ultimately led to his disappearance and the loss of his aircraft. He had, however, guaranteed the safe introduction of the patrol into the area, the successful accomplishment of this mission and had positioned himself to react to any immediate calls for assistance from the patrol. Due to Major Thorne's efforts, the mission was accomplished successfully and contributed significantly to the overall mission of interdicting Viet Cong activities within the area. Major Thorne's actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 33 (July 26, 1967)
Action Date: October 18, 1965</blockquote>
==Dates of rank== [[File:Lauri Törni 1944.07.27 b.jpg|thumb|Törni (in the middle) as a Finnish Army lieutenant]] '''Finnish Army''' * 3 September 1938, Conscript (reserves) * 1 March 1939, Lance Corporal (reserves) * 9 May 1940, Second Lieutenant (reserves) * 5 March 1942, Lieutenant (reserves) * 27 August 1944, Captain (reserves) * 6 October 1950, removed from officers' list
'''German ''Waffen-SS''''' * 18 May 1941, ''Untersturmführer'' (Nordost) * 15 April 1945, ''Hauptsturmführer'' (Sonderkommando Nord)
'''United States Army''' * 28 January 1954, Private * 20 December 1954, Private First Class * 28 April 1955, Corporal * 17 November 1955, Sergeant * 9 January 1957, 1st Lieutenant, USAR * 30 November 1960, Captain, USAR * 16 December 1965, Major, USAR (posthumous)
==Commemoration== In the 1965 book ''The Green Berets'' by Robin Moore, the "Sven Kornie" (or Captain Steve Kornie) main character in the first chapter was based on Thorne.{{sfn|Cleverley|2008|p=302}}<ref group="nb">Moore's book was published the same year Thorne died. {{OCLC|422663434}} "Kornie, originally a Finn, fought the Russians when they invaded his native land. Later, he had joined the German Army and miraculously survived two years of fighting the Russians on the eastern front." (p. 30) The book was later made into a movie by the same name, starring John Wayne. {{AFI film|23668|The Green Berets}}.</ref>
In the 1990s, Törni's name became better known, with numerous books being written about him.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Kivimäki|first=Ville|author-link=:fi:Ville Kivimäki|title=Between Defeat and Victory: Finnish memory culture of the Second World War|journal=Scandinavian Journal of History|date=12 May 2012|volume=37|issue=4|pages=482–504|doi=10.1080/03468755.2012.680178|s2cid=143665356|url=https://trepo.tuni.fi/handle/10024/122486|access-date=11 September 2020|archive-date=24 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724200157/https://trepo.tuni.fi/handle/10024/122486|url-status=live}}</ref> He was named 52nd in the ''Suuret Suomalaiset'' listing of famous Finns. In the 2006 ''Suomen Sotilas'' (''Soldier of Finland'') magazine listing, he was elected most courageous of the Mannerheim Cross recipients.<ref>{{cite book|title=Finland in World War II: History, Memory, Interpretations|year=2011|publisher=Brill|isbn=978-9004208940|page=464|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C68xN5lTN6EC&q=Lauri+T%C3%B6rni&pg=PA464|author=Kinnunen, Tiina|author2=Jokisipilä, Markku|author-link2=:fi:Markku Jokisipilä|editor=Kinnunen, Tiina|editor2=Kivimäki, Ville|editor2-link=:fi:Ville Kivimäki|chapter=Part Four: Wars of Memory; Chapter 10: Shifting Images of "Our Wars": Finnish Memory Culture of World War II|oclc=748330780|access-date=2020-12-12|archive-date=2021-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724200220/https://books.google.com/books?id=C68xN5lTN6EC&q=Lauri+T%C3%B6rni&pg=PA464|url-status=live}}</ref>
In Finland, the survivors, friends, and families of Detachment Törni formed the Lauri Törni Tradition Guild.<ref>[http://kotisivut.turunsanomat.fi/kotisivut/default.asp?id=1047 Os Lauri Törni Perinnekilta ry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416182404/http://kotisivut.turunsanomat.fi/kotisivut/default.asp?id=1047 |date=2014-04-16 }} (Lauri Törni Tradition Guild)</ref> The Infantry Museum (Jalkaväkimuseo) in Mikkeli, Finland, has an exhibit dedicated to Törni,<ref>{{cite book|last=Nargele|first=Dominik George|title=Terror Survivors and Freedom Fighters|year=2005|publisher=AuthorHouse|location=Bloomington, IL|isbn=978-1467837439|page=35|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IDWp1UsnjnYC&q=Lauri+T%C3%B6rni&pg=PA35|oclc=682903422|access-date=2020-12-12|archive-date=2021-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724200157/https://books.google.com/books?id=IDWp1UsnjnYC&q=Lauri+T%C3%B6rni&pg=PA35|url-status=live}} {{cite book|last=Nargele|first=Dominik George|title=Endless Cold War|year=2009|publisher=AuthorHouse|location=Bloomington, IN|isbn=978-1438999814|page=42|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0M51lIVn8oC&q=%22Lauri+T%C3%B6rni%22&pg=PP2|oclc=620134604|access-date=2020-12-12|archive-date=2021-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724200157/https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0M51lIVn8oC&q=%22Lauri+T%C3%B6rni%22&pg=PP2|url-status=live}}</ref> as does the Military Museum of Finland in Helsinki.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.puolustusvoimat.fi/wcm/EN+Puolustusvoimat.fi/Puolustusvoimat.fi+en/National+Defence+University/News/News/Remember+the+Military+Museum+in+Helsinki+during+your+summer+holiday|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417105324/http://www.puolustusvoimat.fi/wcm/EN+Puolustusvoimat.fi/Puolustusvoimat.fi+en/National+Defence+University/News/News/Remember+the+Military+Museum+in+Helsinki+during+your+summer+holiday|url-status=dead|title=Remember the Military Museum in Helsinki during your summer holiday. 14 June 2012|archive-date=17 April 2014}}</ref>
Even before his death, Thorne achieved an exemplary reputation in US Special Forces.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Corns|first1=John H.|title=Our Time in Vietnam|date=2009|publisher=iUniverse|isbn=978-1440183249|page=13|oclc= 620150268}}</ref> His US memorial is the Larry Thorne Headquarters Building, 10th SFG(A), Fort Carson, Colorado. The 10th Group honours him yearly by presenting the Larry Thorne Award to the best Operational Detachment-Alpha in the command.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Ideal Green Beret|author=Gregory, Jim| url=http://www.eucom.mil/article/19753/the-ideal-green-beret|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917033930/http://www.eucom.mil/article/19753/the-ideal-green-beret|publisher=United States European Command Public Affairs Office|archive-date=17 September 2012|date=30 June 2010}}</ref> The Special Forces Association Chapter 33 in Cleveland, Tennessee is named after him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chapterxxxiii.sfsarge.com/|title=Larry A Thorne Special Forces Memorial Chapter XXXIII|first=Chuck|last=James|website=chapterxxxiii.sfsarge.com|access-date=2007-10-18|archive-date=2007-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016044348/http://chapterxxxiii.sfsarge.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2010, he was named as the first Honorary Member of the United States Army Special Forces Regiment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lauri Törni sai kunnianosoituksen USA:n erikoisjoukoilta [Larry Thorne honored by US Special Forces]|url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/kotimaa/art-1288337992863.html|work=Kotimaa|publisher=Ilta-Sanomat|language=fi|date=9 September 2010|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=19 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419014303/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/kotimaa/art-1288337992863.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Distinguished Member of the Special Forces Regiment: Major Larry Thorne|url=http://www.soc.mil/swcs/RegimentalHonors/_pdf/sf_thorne.pdf|publisher=U.S. Army Special Operations Center of Excellence|access-date=30 August 2017|location=Ft. Bragg, NC|quote=Inducted June 2010|archive-date=17 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017201120/http://www.soc.mil/swcs/RegimentalHonors/_pdf/sf_thorne.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011, he was inducted into the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Commando Hall of Honor.<ref>{{cite web|title=Commando Hall of Honor|url=http://www.socom.mil/hall-of-heroes|website=www.socom.mil|publisher=US Special Operations Command|access-date=30 August 2017|archive-date=31 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831000856/http://www.socom.mil/hall-of-heroes|url-status=live}}</ref>
In their 2013 book ''Tuntematon Lauri Törni'' (''Unknown Lauri Törni''), authors Juha Pohjonen and Oula Silvennoinen write that Törni's conviction for treason was justified because the ''Waffen-SS'' training he received at the end of World War II was provided to help achieve a National Socialist coup in Finland.<ref>{{cite book|last=Pohjonen|first=Juha|title=Tuntematon Lauri Törni|trans-title= Unknown Lauri Törni|year=2013|author2=Silvennoinen, Oula|language=fi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tuhat.halvi.helsinki.fi/portal/en/projects/tuntematon-lauri-to(4c2d28d1-789b-4b28-aedd-78816d1654d5).html|title=Tuntematon Lauri Törni - Research database Tuhat - University of Helsinki|date=15 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415124310/https://tuhat.halvi.helsinki.fi/portal/en/projects/tuntematon-lauri-to(4c2d28d1-789b-4b28-aedd-78816d1654d5).html|archive-date=2014-04-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Määttänen|first=Markus|title=Juha Pohjonen ja Oula Silvennoinen: Tuntematon Lauri Törni|date=24 October 2013|url=http://www.aamulehti.fi/Kirjat/1194848097145/artikkeli/juha+pohjonen+ja+oula+silvennoinen+tuntematon+lauri+torni.html|work=Aamulehti|language=fi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204715/http://www.aamulehti.fi/Kirjat/1194848097145/artikkeli/juha+pohjonen+ja+oula+silvennoinen+tuntematon+lauri+torni.html|archive-date=29 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Pilke|first=Antti|title=Historioitsija: Lauri Törni sekaantui natsikumouksen ajamiseen Suomeen [Historian: Larry Thorne was involved in Nazism in Finland]|url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/historioitsija_lauri_torni_sekaantui_natsikumouksen_ajamiseen_suomeen/6889620|work=Uutiset|publisher=Yle|language=fi|date=20 October 2013|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=25 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025143129/http://yle.fi/uutiset/historioitsija_lauri_torni_sekaantui_natsikumouksen_ajamiseen_suomeen/6889620|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=April 2014}}{{Request quotation|date=April 2014}} This view has been challenged by Törni Heritage Guild members Markku Moberg and Pasi Niittymäki, who acknowledge that Törni faced pressure from the war and alcohol consumption, but contend that he did not support Germany.<ref>{{cite web|title=Perinnekilta: Lauri Törni ei ollut natsi [Heritage Guild: Larry Thorne was not a Nazi]|url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/perinnekilta_lauri_torni_ei_ollut_natsi/6899010|work=Uutiset|publisher=Yle|language=fi|date=24 October 2013|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=21 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021104625/http://yle.fi/uutiset/perinnekilta_lauri_torni_ei_ollut_natsi/6899010|url-status=live}}</ref>
Finnish historian and later Minister of Defence (2015–2019) Jussi Niinistö of the right-wing populist Finns Party argued that Törni's training was actually motivated by patriotism towards his native country, and accused Pohjonen and Silvennoinen of stirring up hatred in order to promote sales of their book while disregarding "the fact that in Finland there was a genuine fear that Russia would occupy Finland."<ref>{{cite web|last=Hirsimäki|first=Tiina|title=Niinistö: Lauri Törnin menneisyyttä ei ole siloteltu [Niinistö: Lauri Törni's past not smooth]|url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/niinisto_lauri_tornin_menneisyytta_ei_ole_siloteltu/6893274|work=Uutiset|publisher=Yle|date=21 October 2013|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=16 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216220625/http://yle.fi/uutiset/niinisto_lauri_tornin_menneisyytta_ei_ole_siloteltu/6893274|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2014, Swedish historic heavy metal band Sabaton wrote a song about Törni's life, titled ''Soldier of 3 Armies''.
==See also== * Aarne Juutilainen * Aimo Koivunen * Yang Kyoungjong * Alpo K. Marttinen
==Notes== <references group="nb"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Sources== * {{cite book|last=Cleverley|first=J. Michael|title=Born a Soldier: The Times and Life of Larry Thorne|year=2008|publisher=Booksurge|isbn=978-1439214374|oclc=299168934}} ** In 2002, as: ''A Scent of Glory: The Times and Life of Larry A. Thorne''. Athens: Nike Ekdotike. {{ISBN|9607663489}}. {{OCLC|61516770}}. ** In Swedish in 2008 as: ''Lauri Törni Yrke Soldat''. Svenskt Militärhistoriskt Bibliotek; {{ISBN|978-9185789221}}. * {{cite book|last=Gill III|first=Henry A.|title=Soldier Under Three Flags: The Exploits of Special Forces' Captain Larry A. Thorne |year=1998|publisher=Pathfinder Publishing|location=Ventura, CA|isbn=978-0934793650|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QxSQPeP9Z1gC |oclc=38468782| ref={{sfnref|Gill|1998}}}} * {{cite book|last=Kallonen|first=Kari|author-link=:fi:Kari Kallonen|author2=Sarjanen, Petri|year=2004|title=Leijonamieli: 1919–1949: Mannerheim-ristin ritari kapteeni Lauri Törni alias majuri Larry Thorne|trans-title=Lionheart 1919–1949: Mannerheim Cross Knight Captain Lauri Törni aka Major Larry Thorne|publisher=Revontuli|isbn=978-9525170009|oclc=47915724|language=fi}} * {{cite book|last=Lindholm-Ventola|first=Antti|year=1988|title=Lauri Törni ja hänen korpraalinsa, Sotapäiväkirjaa ja muistelmia vuosilta 1942–1944|trans-title=Lauri Törni and his Corporal, war diaries and memoirs of the years 1942–1944|publisher=Alea-Kirja Oy|location=Helsinki|isbn= 978-9519429427|oclc=57842473|language=fi}} * {{cite journal|last=McDowell|first=Jeffrey B.|title=The Search for Larry A. Thorne: Missing in Action, Vietnam|url= https://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p124201coll1/id/233| pages=77+|access-date=7 May 2014|journal=Military Review|date=May–June 2002|volume=82|issue=3|issn=0026-4148|oclc=2558412}} * {{cite book|last1=Rönnquist|first1=Lars|last2=Vuorenmaa|first2=Anssi|title=Törnin Jääkärit|trans-title=Törnin Light Infantry|year=1993|location=Porvoo|publisher=W. Söderström|isbn=978-9510194485|oclc=36900567|language=fi}} * {{cite book|last=Salomaa|first=Markku|others=Fletcher, Roderick (trans.)|editor-last=Marjomaa|editor-first=Ulpu|title=100 Faces from Finland: A Biographical Kaleidoscope|year=2000|publisher=Finnish Academy of Science & Letters (Finnish Literature Society) |location=Helsinki|chapter-url=https://kansallisbiografia.fi/english/person/7845|isbn=978-9517462150|pages=554–557|chapter=Lauri Torni, soldier|oclc=47683663}} * {{cite book|last=Tyrkkö|first=Jukka|title=Lauri Törnin tarina: vapaustaistelijan vaiheita Viipurista Vietnamiin|trans-title=Lauri Törni story. Freedom Fighter's steps from Vyborg to Vietnam|year=1975|publisher=Alea-kirja|location=Helsinki|isbn=978-9519272177|language=fi|oclc=2645931}}
==Further reading== * {{cite web|last1=Elliot|first1=Adriane|title=Nation committed to bringing home missing heroes|url=https://www.army.mil/article/165967/nation_committed_to_bringing_home_missing_heroes|website=www.army.mil|publisher=U.S. Army|access-date=30 August 2017|date=14 April 2016}} * {{cite book|last=Kairinen|first=Paavo A.|author-link=:fi:Paavo Kairinen|title=Marttisen Miehet: Asekätkijäveljet|date=1987|publisher=Porvoo|location=W. Söderström|isbn=978-9510146644|language=fi|trans-title=Marttinen's Men – The Brotherhood of the Armament Concealers|oclc=18680922}} * {{cite AV media|people=Karttunen, Mika (Director), Franzén, Peter (Narrator)|title=Törni – Sotilaan Tarina|trans-title=The Story of Larry Thorne|medium=DVD (58 minutes)|language=fi |publisher=Solar Films/Nordisk Special Marketing (NSM)|year=2007|oclc=731877681|asin=B0021GXH2E}} * {{cite book|last=Lunde|first=Henrik O.|title=Finland's War of Choice: The Troubled German–Finnish Coalition in WWII|year=2011|publisher=Casemate|location=Havertown, PA|isbn=978-1935149484|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1izr3Cwhtz8C|oclc=635489135}} ** Reviewed in ''The Bugle'', June 2011 * {{cite web|last=Nieme|first=Jarto|title=Finnish Volunteers in the German Wehrmacht in WWII|url=https://www.feldgrau.com/WW2-German-Wehrmacht-Finnish-Volunteers/|work=Feldgrau.com|publisher=Jason Pipes|author2=Folsom, Russ |author3=Pipes, Jason|date=4 August 2020 }} * {{cite book|last=Plaster|first=John L.|title=SOG: A Photo History of the Secret Wars|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RctingEACAAJ|chapter=3: Shining Brass|year=2000|publisher=Paladin|location=Boulder, CO|isbn=978-1581600582|author-link=John Plaster|oclc=445847740}}
==External links== {{Sister project links|wikt=no|commons=Category:Lauri Törni|b=no|n=no|q=no|s=no|v=no|voy=no|species=no|d=Q819320|m=no|mw=no|display=Lauri Törni}} * [http://www.mikecleverley.com/more_on_larry_thorne "More on Larry Thorne", by J. Mike Cleverley] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827060823/http://www.mikecleverley.com/more_on_larry_thorne |date=2010-08-27 }} * {{cite web|last1=Temmes|first1=Asko|website=POWNetwork.org|title=Thorne, Larry Alan – Remains Found 1999 – Identified 2003, Buried Arlington June 26, 2003|url=http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/t/t375.htm |date=17 June 2001|access-date=30 August 2017|publisher=The POW Network}} * {{cite web|title=Personnel Profile, Service Member: Maj. Larry Alan Thorne|website=Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency|url=https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt000000v2uk6EAA}} * {{cite web|title=Larry Alan Thorne, Honored on Panel 2E, Line 126 of the Wall|website=The Wall of Faces|url=https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/51945/LARRY-A-THORNE/|publisher=Vietam Veterans Memorial Fund|location=Arlington, Virginia}} * {{cite web|author1=Salomaa, Markku|author2=Roderick, Fletcher (trans.)|title=Törni, Lauri (1919–1965) |url=https://www.kansallisbiografia.fi/english/person/7845|website=Kansallisbiografia.fi|publisher=Biografiakeskus – National Biography of Finland|access-date=30 August 2017}} ** Also available as {{BLF}} * {{IMDb title|1138470|Törni – Sotilaan Tarina}} {{Finnish far right}} {{Fascism}} {{Authority control}} {{Portalbar|Finland}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Torni, Lauri}} Category:1919 births Category:1965 deaths Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery Category:Escapees from British military detention Category:Escapees from Finnish detention Category:Finnish emigrants to the United States Category:Finnish escapees Category:Finnish expatriates in Sweden Category:Finnish guerrillas Category:Finnish military personnel of World War II Category:Finnish prisoners of war Category:Finnish soldiers Category:Finnish Waffen-SS personnel Category:Knights of the Mannerheim Cross Category:Members of the United States Army Special Forces Category:Military personnel from Vyborg Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States Category:Nazis convicted of crimes Category:People convicted of treason against Finland Category:People from Sunset Park, Brooklyn Category:Recipients of Finnish presidential pardons Category:Recipients of the Iron Cross (1939), 2nd class Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:SS-Hauptsturmführer Category:United States Army personnel killed in the Vietnam War Category:United States Army officers Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1965 Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in Vietnam Category:Victims of helicopter accidents or incidents Category:World War II prisoners of war held by the United Kingdom Category:European expatriate or exiled military officers